Stoddart Satisfied with Minardi's Season

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart is satisfied with his team's performance in the 2002 season, where the Anglo-Italian minnows finished in ninth place in the Constructors' Championship with two points.

"Finishing ninth in the World Championship is no mean feat when you consider our budget and the political turmoil that has ruined most of the season for us," said Stoddart after today's Japanese Grand Prix.

"We derive a lot of pleasure, however, from the fact the team scored quite possibly the most popular two points in modern Formula One history in Melbourne this year.

"Our on-track performances, in the main, have been far better than the financial and technical resources available to the team should have permitted. Our thanks go our drivers this year, Alex, Mark and Anthony, as well as to all our commercial and technical partners."

Australian Mark Webber, who gave Minardi their only points of the season with a fifth place in Melbourne, completed his impressive rookie year with a tenth place in today's race at Suzuka.

Webber, who is likely to leave the Faenza-based squad next year, was the last of the runners to cross under the chequered flag, two laps down. Malaysian Alex Yoong failed to finish the race after spinning off the track on lap 14.